MHS Soccer Rides the Roller Coaster of Ups and Downs
MHS Soccer Information Provided by Coach Jared Mumley and Athletic Director Eric Sivertson
LakeChelanNow apologizes for “clustering” so many soccer game recaps into this one story. We wanted to make sure we give a shout-out to all the players, coaches and spectators who contributed to each game over the past week. Unfortunately, a killer flu bug made its way through our household and since we are predominantly a family-run operation, the sickness stunted our productivity for several days.
Following is a recap of the Trojan’s recent soccer activities.
April 23: Manson Falls to Cascade 1-3
Although the score line doesn’t reflect it, Manson played one of their best games of the season against a strong Cascade team that leads the Caribou Trail 1A league. This non-league contest was a good warmup for the playoffs which the Trojans hope to qualify for and begin next weekend.
The beginning of the game saw Cascade pressure Manson deep into their own half while Manson was having difficulty finding outlets on offense. After about 10 minutes, however, Manson began finding some space behind the Cascade back line which eased off the pressure. Just as Manson were getting a foothold in the game a mistake allowed Cascade to take the lead. Without losing a beat Manson continued to press on.
During the latter part of the second half Manson piled on the pressure and it was Cascade who were happy to get to halftime unscathed. Manson continued to pile on the pressure in the second half with slick passing movies and a few shooting opportunities for Eduardo Escelera and Abelardo Sanchez. Manson were unlucky, however, to give up a penalty in the box for a handball which Cascade converted to double their lead.
Manson did not give up the fight though. They continued to fight with intensity and their pressure was rewarded with a nice passing moving from Heri Sarmiento to a running Escalera who slotted home the goal and cut the deficit in half! With 15 minutes to go in the match, it was game on! Manson pushed forward with added fervor and nearly tied the game after another powerful Escalera run only to be thwarted by last gasp defending. As Manson continued to step up and pressure they were undone by one final long ball which was finished off by the Cascade forward to seal the game.
In the end a 3-1 score line is flattering for Cascade as the Trojans put in a solid performance. Next up is a road game to Tonasket on Thursday.
April 21: Bridgeport Defense Overwhelms Manson
The Manson boys soccer team fell to their third consecutive league defeat on the road to Bridgeport.
The Mustangs of Bridgeport dominated the game from start to finish with tenacious defending and energetic runs which caused the Manson Trojans trouble all day long. Manson had difficulty getting the ball in the attacking half before the Mustangs would quickly steal away the ball.
Bridgeport scored about 15 minutes into the first half and then again with about 20 minutes to go in the game. Manson got one goal back through Sophomore Abelardo Sanchez but it was too little too late as Bridgeport successfully defended their home field.
Next up for Manson is senior night at the Manson Athletic Complex versus Cascade. Varsity begins at 6:30 with JV beginning at 4:30.
April 19: Manson Loses a Thriller in Penalty Kick Shootout
The Manson Trojan Boys soccer team fell to their second consecutive league loss after a thrilling penalty kick shootout with the Mountain Lions of Liberty Bell.
The game was tight in the first half with both teams taking turns controlling possession but little in the way of goal scoring chances. It was physical and tense and Liberty Bell came to play.
In the second half Manson began taking a little more control and took the lead after a good pass from Eduardo Escelara to Eberardo Aguilar who finished smartly into the bottom left corner.
The game was firmly under Manson’s control but with fifteen minutes to go Liberty Bell found themselves in the Manson box and after a few hesitations by the Manson defense the Mountain Lions managed to get the ball in the net to tie the game. Manson pressed on for the winning goal but it wouldn’t come which led to two scoreless periods of overtime followed by a penalty shootout.
After five shots for each team the shootout moved to sudden death. Liberty Bell won the game on the 10th kick of the penalty shootout. Manson still remains in control of their own playoff destiny but have three difficult league road games ahead. Next up is Bridgeport on Saturday at 11am
April 17: Manson Falls to League Leader Brewster Bears, 1-4
The Manson Trojans fought hard against the Brewster Bears on Tuesday night at the Manson Athletic Complex (MAC) but fell to the league leaders 4-1.
Brewster began the game with complete domination of the midfield with frequent forays into the Manson box. Sophomore goalkeeper Arturo Valdovinos was called into action early with a couple of fine saves. The continued pressure, however, was too much for the Trojans to handle and the Bears took the lead 15 minutes into the first half.
Brewster continued to pressure Manson and dominate possession and were rewarded with two more well-worked goals before halftime. Manson began to play themselves back into the game in the second half but it was the Bears who struck again. This time off of a corner kick that the Manson defense allowed to slip through the box where the Brewster defender was waiting to slam the ball home.
Down 4-0 however, Manson never gave up and were rewarded for their hard work and discipline with a goal by junior Jose Vasquez who was played through by Eberardo Aguilar and calmly finished past the Bear’s goalkeeper.
In the end Manson loses its second league match, once again to Brewster, but maintains its position in second place. The next game is home to Liberty Bell at the MAC on Thursday at 4:30.
April 17, Manson Survives Brief Scare from Liberty Bell, 3-1
The Manson Boys Soccer team had a brief scare on the road at Liberty Bell but pulled out the 3 to 1 victory in the end.
Manson began the game with control of the midfield as they usually do but could not finish the opportunities that they created. The Mountain Lions of Liberty Bell meanwhile were getting some good looks on goal through some very direct play up the field as their quick forwards looked to get onto the end of the long ball. Although Manson controlled most of the ball their defense looked shaky when Liberty Bell attacked them on the break.
The Mountain Lions were finally rewarded for their efforts when a free kick was lobbed into the box and while the entire Manson defense switched off, Liberty Bell pounced and took the lead. The Trojans felt slightly unlucky to have not scored in the first half but a goal is what the Mountain Lions deserved going into halftime.
The second half, however, was a different story. Manson’s midfield continued to dominate but also began using the entire field rather than getting stuck down one side. Senior captain Heri Sarmiento started pulling the strings and it wasn’t long before Manson found the equalizer after a nice through-ball to Eberardo Aguilar who slotted home after going clear on goal. In a flash Manson took the lead.
Senior captain Marco Mendoza bulldozed his way up the field with incredible power before the ball fell to the feet of Jose Vasquez who struck a deep shot over the Liberty Bell goalkeeper as the score-line reach 2-1.
Then, just minutes later, after some more strong midfield work, the ball found its way to Eberardo Aguilar again who lashed home a wicked left-footed shot from about 22 yards out. With the score at 3-1 and Manson dominating possession is was all but over.
Manson takes its league record to 4-1, having played the entire league once, losing only to the Brewster Brears, who they will again compete against on Tuesday.
